Maricel Soriano, Maris Racal tie for Best Actress at 42nd Star Awards; Vilma Santos gets standing ovation

Kapamilya artists Maricel Soriano and Maris Racal tied for the Best Actress award at the 42nd Star Awards for Movies, held Sunday at Winford Hotel in Manila, for their performances in “Meet, Greet, and Bye” and “Sunshine,” respectively.

Soriano thanked her co-stars Piolo Pascual, Joshua Garcia, Juan Karlos Labajo, and Belle Mariano, as well as director Cathy Garcia-Sampana and the film’s production company Star Cinema.

Racal acknowledged that all of the rejections and opinions she faced during her career as an actress had made her stronger, thanking her management Star Magic.

Jericho Rosales was unable to personally accept his Best Actor award for “Quezon” due to a prior commitment, so his director Jerrold Tarog accepted the trophy on his behalf.

Meanwhile, Lester Pimentel Ong unexpectedly won the Best Director award for his film “The Delivery Rider,” starring Baron Geisler, Jake Cuenca, and Jennica Garcia.

Another surprise winner was Richard Quan, who won Best Supporting Actor for “How to Get Away From My Toxic Family.” Sylvia Sanchez, a multiple PMPC Star Awards winner, won Best Supporting Actress  for “I’mPerfect.”

Krystel Go won New Movie Actress of the Year for her film “I’mPerfect,” while JM Ibarra won New Movie Actor of the Year for his film “Child No. 82.”

Ibarra and his on-screen partner Fyang Smith won the love team of the year award, thanking their devoted fans for their support since the beginning of their careers.

In special awards, Kapamilya superstar Vice Ganda and Kapamilya actress Nadine Lustre received Takilya King and Queen, which they were unable to accept due to prior obligations.

Chris Cahilig received the Darling of the Press Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the entertainment industry.

The evening was not complete without movie icon Vilma Santos, who became the first actress to be inducted into PMPC’s Hall of Fame. She was serenaded by her onscreen partner Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz and her close friend Tirso Cruz III.

The tribute to Santos took nearly an hour with her legendary films, as her devoted fans cheered and viewers gave a minute-long standing ovation.

Veteran sound engineer Albert Michael Idioma and legendary screenwriter Ricky Lee, a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, were also honored with Hall of Fame trophies.

Three pillars of the local film industry were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards during the ceremony: megastar Sharon Cuneta, Rez Cortez, and Alex Muhlach.